| THE SECOND CITY #& 
OF THE ans 
| BRITISH EMPIRE 


a} ; 


The Second City of the British 


Empire 


’ BENJAMIN R. BARBER 


General Secretary Young Men’s Christian Association 
Calcutta, India 


FOREIGN DEPARTMENT 
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE 
124 East Twenty-eighth Street 
New York City 


WuVd AHL WOYS HLYON ONIAMOOT-VLLNOTVO 


Calcutta is the most important commer- 
A Mighty cial, political and educational center in 
Metropolis India. It is ninety miles from the sea on 

a river navigable for the largest ocean 
steamers. [he annual import and export trade 
amounts to $551,000,000. It is the home of hun- 
dreds of Europeans in Government service, while 
scores of rajahs, princes, zemindars and other gentle- 
men of wealth make it their residence. “Though the 
capital has been removed to Delhi, the King Em- 
peror says, “Calcutta must ever remain the premier 
city.’ Twenty-five colleges and sixteen business 
and other schools with nearly 10,000 students make 
this the largest student center in India. Added to 
these are 21,000 resident boys in sixty high schools. 
Calcutta University examines each year over |4,- 
OOO students, more than the combined enrollment 
of Harvard, Toronto and the University of Chi- 
cago. Religiously, with its temples, mosques and 
shrines, with its multitude of devotees, its hundreds 
of priests and holy men, its feasts, festivals and 
bathing ghats, Calcutta has a significance scarcely 
second to any city of the world. 


The city has a million and a quarter 
Cosmopolitan of inhabitants. Magnificent public 

buildings and parks, electric cars, fine 
carriages, automobiles and daily papers and the 
mingling of nations, proclaim it indeed a modern 
city. [he streets throng with men who constitute 
sixty-eight per cent of the population. The grog- 
shops, gambling dens, brothels and race courses are 
the contributions of many lands. ‘There are two 
score of Protestant Christian Churches in the city. 
The number of communicants is 40,511, of which 
11,402 are Indians. ‘There are Christian colleges, 
hospitals, orphanages and homes for the blind, the 
leper, the deaf and the dumb. There are 225 
associations and clubs whose objects are social, 
athletic, educational or religious. | Conspicuous 
among the religious institutions of the city is a 
modern Young Men’s Christian Association. 


a 
re) 


II. The City’s Perils and Hopes 


Thousands of miles from their native 
Militant Britain and America, far removed from 
Evil the restraints of friends and home influ- 

ences, there are some young men who 
live consistent Christian lives and who render efh- 
cient service to the Churches and to the Association. 
It is truly said, however, that on coming to India 
the average man “‘leaves his religion behind him 
at Aden.” ‘The life of most of these men is a 
hindrance. to the progress of Christian faith and 
morals among the Hindus, who regard all Western- 
ers as Christians. Among these, they see with 
bewilderment and scorn, drunkenness, profanity, 
gambling and immorality abound. Few homes are 
open to foreign young men and they are compelled 
to live in hotels, common boarding houses or chum- 
meries. Dyinking is very common in these chum- 
meries, and dissolute women are frequently brought 
into them. ‘There are clubs which import European 
girls, providing them with a beautiful house, fine 
carriages and every equipment with which to make 
the club profitable to the owner. ‘The receipts of 
one of these houses with four occupants have been 
known to exceed $1,000 a month. 

The races lead men into a fast life. Sunday is 
disregarded or becomes a day for social calls, golf- 
ing, motoring or other forms of recreation. ““Peg”’ 
drinking (whiskey and soda) is well-nigh universal 
among foreigners. Though by the Hindu scrip- 
tures Hindus are forbidden to drink liquor, this evil 
is increasing rapidly among them. It is one of the 
wrongs for which Western civilization must answer. 
In observing a grog-shop for thirty minutes | saw 
sixty men, women and children enter to drink. 
Worse still is the use of gunga, a native drug. 
Cocaine and opium eating are becoming very preva- 
lent. Gambling seems to be on the increase. 
Theatres of a low order attract thousands. 


4 


JAIN TEMPLE, CALCUTTA 


‘Impurity is to India what the drink 
The Scarlet problem is to England.’ It is one 
Contagion of the greatest enemies of the Indian 
young man. ‘aught it from infancy 
by the time-honored servant, he grows up regard- 
less of its evil effects. False modesty on the part 
of his parents prevents any mention of the subject 
to the boy. ‘Thus the dens which infest the vicinity 
of his home, the temples, the colleges and messes, 
easily become an attraction to him. The Hindu 
scriptures are full of the immoral escapades of their 
gods. he temples are hung with obscene pictures; 
within are gods of passion; without are carvings 
too vile to allow the eye to rest upon them. Why 
should the young man draw back when the priests 
even dedicate young girls to a life of shame within 
the temple precincts, accessible to the men of all 
castes? [hey call them “‘the slaves of the gods’; 
they are more the slaves of men. So bold, insistent, 
cheap, so varied in its form is this sin that only the 
strongest stand in so great a temptation. No subject 
in a public meeting attracts men like the subject of 
purity; nor does one come from a morbid curiosity 
merely, but that if possible he may find a way of 
escape from the terrible demon that binds him. In 
Calcutta, according to the census of 1901, of the 
women over ten years of age, one out of every four- 
teen is disreputable and in one ward of the city 
one out of every four. 


HINDU PRIESTS OR FAKIRS 


antes: Confronted with the facts, one must 
Hinduism conclude that to-day Hinduism is 
Powerless powerless to save men from these sins. 
The educated man feels this, but, held 
by age-long customs and with a lack of courage to 
take his stand for the right, he drifts—he knows not 
whither. If loss of faith in one’s religion is not 
replaced by faith in another, the result is atheism, 
agnosticism, infidelity, worse than all, unrestrained, 
gross sin. If immoral and infidel literature which 
floods the land falls into the student’s hands at 
such a critical time, it finds him an easy prey. The 
only hope for all these evils is the Gospel, and just 
as that Gospel has made us strong so will it make 
the young men of India strong. The Young Men’s 
Christian Association is in a unique position to place 
this help within their reach. 


III. The Young Men of Western 


Races 


The Young Men’s Christian Asso- 
Called By ciation has never entered any city in 
the Church mission lands without first receiving 

a call from the united missionary 
bodies in that field. Durning the visit of Mr. Luther 
D. Wishard to the Orient in 1889, the Calcutta 
Missionary Conference appealed to the International 
Committee of New York to send a secretary to 
undertake work for young men. In response to 
this appeal, Mr. J. Campbell White arrived at the 
end of 1893. It is largely through the great faith, 
foresight and indomitable energy of Mr. White, 
supported by the gifts and prayers of a host of godly 
men and women, that the European and Indian 
young men of Calcutta have to-day so great a 
heritage in splendid buildings and well-established 
institutions as is found in the present Young Men’s 
Christian Association. 


EUROPEAN BRANCH BUILDING, CALCUTTA 


The work was first undertaken for Europeans 
in a small rented building in the English quarter. 


To-day the European Branch occupies a building 
ideally located and valued at $100,000. It has 


7 


most of the features of the modern Association 
buildings of America—a gymnasium, auditorium, 
reading room, library, recreation rooms, classrooms, 
dormitories and boarding department with accom- 
modations for forty men. 


This plant provides a place for 
A Strong Appeal young men arriving for the first 
to the Strong time. Wholesome quarters and 

strong companionships are of 
great help to them while they are getting their bear- 
ings or are becoming adjusted to their new life by 
furnishing them good associations with home com- 
forts. [hey are brought into a center of religious 
influence and provided recreation, clean sports, 
healthful games, pure literature, concerts, scientific 
and literary lectures, Bible classes and religious meet- 
ings. Nor is its religion of a narrow type, for the 
broad-minded are attracted and some of the best 
men of the city are supporters. [he Association 
has the respect not only of members, but also of 
the missionanes and clergy and of most of the 
Government officials and mercantile men who are 
acquainted with its operations. The board of 
directors is composed of men possessing as fine busi- 
ness capacity as can be found in any city. The 
President of the Association is the secretary to the 
Governor of Bengal. “he Governor himself is very 
sympathetic. [he Mayor of the city is a vice- 
president. ‘The treasurer is head of a leading firm. 
These and other directors, Calcutta’s men of affairs, 
evidence their deep interest in the Association by 
generous gifts of time and money. ‘The supervision 
of this branch devolves upon one secretary, assisted 
by a good staff of efficient committee workers. In 
America, at least three men would be required for 
the task. The annual budget is $10,000, which 
maintains an entirely self-supporting work including 
the salary of the secretary. 


oo 


ANGLO-INDIAN BRANCH AUTOMOBILE SCHOOL, 
CALCUTTA 


ae There are 15,000 Anglo-Indians, 
Ministering those of mixed European and Indian 
to the descent, in Calcutta, of whom 3,000 
Handicapped are eligible for membership in the 
Association. In 1906 work was 
started for them in rented quarters. Emphasis was 
laid upon religious work, educational classes and 
athletics. Later, residential quarters were secured 
in a separate building for forty men, who pay a 
minimum charge for board and room. ‘This branch 
of service has been locally self-supporting, but be- 
cause of heavy rentals, and a limited financial con- 
stituency, it has carried a heavy burden. Recent 
gifts of $25,000 each from two gentlemen are 
making possible large extension and permanency. 
A new secretary has been secured from America, 
who, after an exhaustive study of the field, is in a 
position to be of very large service to this needy, 
neglected community. A site has been purchased 
and a new building is under construction to minister 
to them. 


IV. The Educated Indian Classes 


Of larger importance even than the 
A Command- work for Europeans or Anglo- 
ing Position Indians is the Association movement 

among the great student population, 
or, speaking more broadly, the educated English- 
speaking Indians. Bishop Thoburn says: “I be- 
lieve I was among the first to call attention to the 
necessity for such a work, and with my personal 
interest in it, | have very naturally given close atten- 
tion to its progress from the first. It is my deliber- 
ate judgment that this is one of the most important 
Christian enterprises in all the Oriental world.” In 
a most providential manner a large building for the 
Indian work was secured in the very heart of the 
student section. In 1896, at the time of its pur- 
chase, the building was valued at $50,000, but 
additions have been made so that the present value 
is about $100,000. It includes a hall seating 600, 
two reading rooms, classrooms, library, a good 
gymnasium, offices and shops to rent and dormitories 
for twenty men. 

In 1902, the Hon. John Wanamaker visited 
Calcutta and having seen the immense possibilities 
of the Association asked to have the privilege of 
furthering its usefulness. When told of the urgent 
needs of the high school boys, he very generously 
gave the money for a boys’ building which cost, 
when completed and furnished, $17,000. This 
has been in successful operation since 1904. Mrs. 
Finley J. Shepard (Miss Helen Gould) gave a 
splendid library which is very widely used. There 
are dormitories for eleven boys. Prospects are 
bright for a new hostel to accommodate fifty more. 
Within a radius of a mile, or easy walking distance 
of this double building, there are 7,000 college men 
and 10,000 high school boys, all speaking English. 

There are 40,000 educated, English-speaking ~ 
Indians in Government service or other employment 
within the city, who are within easy reach of this 


building. The late Mr. K. C. Banuyji, M.A., 


10 


B.L., registrar of the University and chairman of 
the College Street Branch from its organization until 
his death, said: ““The Association building with 
the conspicuous marks it bears of its consecration is 
itself a witness for the Master. Right in the imme- 
diate vicinity of eight non-Christian institutions— 
Dr. Duff would have denounced the greater part 
of them as godless—it constrains students of these 
colleges daily to think of Christ, while only a few 
years back they might have gone on from year’s end 
to year’s end without even a passing thought of the 
Christian enterprise.” 


SIR GEORGE WILLIAMS CLUB OF PERSONAL 
WORKERS, CALCUTTA 


The Association has been a haven 
Temptation to not a few from the fierce storms 
Thwarted of temptation. Many have delib- 

erately cut themselves loose from 
heathenism. Literally thousands have come for 
counsel on matters of life, religion and morals. Some 
have had doubts cleared away; some have been 
induced to forsake sin; others have found Christ a 
personal Saviour. Not a few are convinced of the 
claims of Christ, but have not the courage to 
acknowledge Him publicly. Many in need of em- 
ployment have received assistance from the secre- 
taries. Boys from the villages, unacquainted with 
the wicked devices of a great city, have found a 


11 


sheltered home in the Association. The fact that 
it is interested in the whole man disarms prejudice, 
and the Hindus, many of whom are contributing 
annually toward its maintenance, are glad to accept 
its hospitality. 


The work of College 
Street Branch is primarily 
teaching and_ preaching 
the Gospel, whether by 
Bible class, evangelistic 
meeting, personal dealing 
or the preparation of pam- 
phlets or articles. The 
reading room with scores 
of papers and magazines, 
the library of two thou- 
sand volumes, the dormi- 
tories for twenty men, the 
games and amusements, 
the social evenings, the 
gymnasium and_ outdoor 
athletics which have a 
growing fascination for 
Indian students—these all 
minister to the great object 

A Student Worth Saving of evangelization. For the 

general public there is a 
free reading room with half a dozen daily papers. 

During the visit of Dr. Mott and Mr. Eddy to 
Calcutta in December, 1912, the evangelistic meet- 
ings had to be transferred to a theatre in order to 
hold the crowds who came to hear the Gospel. 
The first meeting was attended by 1,800 students. 
Hundreds became enquirers and are under further 
instruction while some have been baptized. 

The Government of Bengal has recently made 
a building grant of $25,000 for a hostel to accom- 
modate forty students. This has been supple- 
mented by a gift of $10,000 from North America, 
and makes possible the erection of one of the best 
hostels in the city. 


COLLEGE AND BOYS’ BRANCH BUILDINGS, CALCUTTA 


The Indian student is no less eager 
Building for athletics than are American stu- 
Strong Bodies dents. In 1908, the Association 

secured the services of a competent 
physical director from America. He has done much 
to extend and unite interest in physical welfare. His 
salary is paid jointly by the Government, by Hindus 
and by the Association, each contributing one third. 
There are large classes for students and boys in 
gymnastics, drill and first aid, besides extension work 
in outdoor athletics. He has many groups in schools 
outside the Association, and three months each year 
teaches a class of drill masters for the Government. 
Tours of inspection for the Government are made 
among schools and colleges. Interest is being 
aroused in larger and better playgrounds for the 
boys of the city. 


13 


FOOTBALL TEAM, BOYS’ BRANCH, CALCUTTA 


‘The intermingling of Hindus and Chris- 
Leveler - tians in the monthly social meetings has 
of Caste had much to do in promoting fellowship 
and breaking down caste. Formerly, 
Hindus would not take refreshments at the social 
meetings, but now scarcely one refuses. This func- 
tion is making for a broader view of life and has 
had much to do with strengthening the bond be- 
tween Hindus and Christians. In the dormitories no 
caste distinctions have ever been observed. Hindus, 
Christians, Buddhists and Mohammedans all take 
the same food at a common table. One outside 
India can scarcely appreciate the significance of this 
fact. Even in most mission colleges, messes are 
provided for different classes. I once asked a Hindu 
physician why he was so anxious to have his boy 
live in our hostel, as he was breaking caste. He 
said he was sure his boy was in good moral sur- 
roundings, and for this reason he could afford to 
see him lose caste. [he rooms are in demand for 
the place is sanitary and pure in its surroundings and 
influence, which is not to be said of every mess. A 
recent order of the Government compels students 
to live in approved hostels. ‘The visitation commit- 
tee, appointed by the Government on its recent 
inspection, was greatly pleased with our rooms. 
There are 100 boarding clubs in the neighbor- 
hood of the student building. The largest of these, 
accommodating 260 students, was built by the 
Government, and is only three minutes’ walk from 
the Association building. No meeting or Bible 


14 


class is allowed inside, but the men come freely to 
the meetings. Students are pleased to have the 
secretaries call upon them. These calls tend to 
renew acquaintance, to bring men to the Association 
building or to give opportunity for religious conver- 
sation. 


The obstacles in the way of men accept- 
Removing ing Christianity are tremendous and 
Mountains almost inconceivable to our Western 

minds. A man may be brought to be- 
lieve in the Gospel, and at that time be unwilling 
to make public his belief by baptism. By this act 
he breaks caste and the fiercest persecution begins. 
He must give up father, mother, wife, friends, fur- 
ther education, inheritance, everything. ‘The conse- 
quence is that there are thousands who secretly be- 
lieve in Christ, but who do not identify themselves 
with Christians. Though there are baptisms, we 
do not estimate all results by them. The real results 
are seen in transformed lives, in a new hope in Christ 
and knowledge of the Scriptures. Men return, after 
months and years, to speak of Christian teaching 
received from the Association. It is impossible for 
any Christian who knows the facts to disbelieve in 
the ultimate triumph of Chnistianity among these 
educated men of India. ‘Tasting the joy of salva- 
tion from sin, they are being made willing to give 
up houses, and brethren, and sisters, and father, and 
mother, and wife, and children, and land, for 


Christ’s sake and the Gospel’s. 


A young Hindu asked for admission 
Not Peace but into the hostel. He came, as he 
a Sword said afterward, to see how Christians 

lived. He joined a Bible class, be- 
came interested in Christianity, was convinced, and, 
after some struggle with himself, decided to become 
a Christian. It was hard for him to throw himself 
in faith upon God, for he had been brought up in 
luxury, was receiving a regular and liberal allow- 
ance, and was getting on well with his medical 
course. One day he came to a parting of the ways, 
when a decision must be made. He said, “I want 
to be baptized.”” “‘Have you written your father >”’ 


15 


VLLAOTV9 ‘SLNAGISAY TALSOH LNAGNLS 


was asked. “‘No,’’ he had not. ‘The letter was 
written, and the reply was immediate. ““You must 
not become a Christian, for you will break your 
mother’s heart; you will bring gray hairs to your 
poor father; we shall be ostracized by our caste, and 
lose our social standing.”’ But the young man was 
determined. Then the father wrote, “‘I shall dis- 
inherit you.”’ As the father was rich, and the 
grandfather had left the son a large sum of money, 
this was a question of no little consequence. But 
the cry for freedom in the soul is strong and the 
son still persisted in his resolution to be baptized. 
Then the father came hundreds of miles to Calcutta 
to dissuade his son. He was met at the door and 
conducted to his son’s room. ‘The door was shut 
and the two left alone. The beseechings of that 
father, as he implored his son not to disgrace the 
family, others will never know. After an hour the 
son said: ‘“‘Now, father, I want to go out, for | 
have an engagement. Remain here and rest, and 
I shall return after a while.’ That was the day 
set for the baptism, and a group of Christians were 
all assembled and waiting in the church. With a 
firm step, the young man walked to the altar rail, 
and when the ceremony was over, he went back to 
his father and said, “It is all over now, and I have 
just come from my baptism.”’ Such a struggle is 
inevitable when a young Hindu decides to accept 
Christ, for He said, “‘I came not to send peace, but 
a sword.” 


To the Christian men, the Association 
Indian is a training school. Since its formation 
Initiative from twenty to thirty of its members 

have entered Christian callings. A 
score of able and devoted members help in the 
daily activities. For years they conducted what 
might be called a Bible school for ragged boys, 
though sometimes even the rags are wanting. They 
lead Bible classes, speak in the open-air services, 
and in other religious meetings. They arrange 
social meetings and secure new members. They 
have also formed bands of their own, and carry 
on a good deal of Christian work independently. 
There is a growing spirit of independence, which 


17 


will bear abundant fruit 
in the years to come. 
There is a desire to 
undertake the work of 
evangelization them- 
selves. The spirit fills 
the mind of the student 
to-day, which animates 
the National Congress, 
where Hindus, Mo- 
hammedans, and 
Christians meet to dis- 
cuss matters of reform, 
how the Indian may 
secure larger responsi- 
bility in the govern-. 
ment of his own land, 
and how he may make 
himself more useful. 
To maintain these 
activities, $3,500 is 


required annually, 


B. C. SIRCAR, aside from salaries of 
A convert of College Branch, now the foreign secretaries. 
National Secretary for Bengal All this is provided 


locally. The budget 
is growing and it is hoped to get more and more 
from Indian Christians, though the number of those 
who are well-to-do is not large. [he control of the 
College Street Branch is under a committee of fifteen 
Indians and Europeans. ‘There are three Indian 
and three foreign secretaries. 


The rigid neutrality of the Govern- 
Government ment in religious matters prevents 
Recognition officials personally from taking any 

part, or exerting any Christian influ- 
ence, when Hindus are affected, yet it has always 
looked with favor on whatever benefits the student. 
The Government of Bengal made a grant of $1 3,- 
300 toward the College Branch building, a grant 
of $12,000 toward the European work, and recur- 
ring grants to the physical director’s fund and to the 
various branches. The recent grant for the student 
hostel already noted evidences continued confidence. 


18 


Looking Forward 


Mr. Banurji once said: “‘I feel called 
Beyond to give an expression of my gratitude 
Experiment to you for extending the Association 

movement to my country. It has 
operated as a new inspiration to the cause of evan- 
gelization in India. It has drawn out the capacity 
for Christian service heretofore latent in the young 
men of our Churches. It has brought the students 
of non-missionary institutions, so long unreached, 
into close touch with Christian truth and Christian 
guidance. It has provided a much-missed rallying 
point for missionaries of different denominations to 
present a united front to the rampant forces of error 
and unbelief. [he Lord bless you for your work 
among my people.” 


Thousands of students and schoolboys 
A Look are still outside this sphere of influence. 
Ahead Effort remains to be made for the hun- 

dreds of Mohammedans in colleges. 
There are four hundred thousand vernacular-speak- 
ing young men in Calcutta, almost all of them unac- 
quainted with Chnist. 
Among these are the 
street railway, postal 
and telegraph em- 
ployees and the na- 
tive police. Little is 
being done for sol- 
diers aside from the 
chaplain’s service. 
The railway popula- 
tion of Howrah, the 
Calcutta terminal, 
has. desperate need. 
There are many calls 
upon the secretaries 
for evangelistic work 
K. C. BANURII, in centers outside of 
Until his death, Registrar Calcutta University, Calcutta. What the 
Chairman College Branch Association is doing 


stg) 


STUDENT GROUP IN ASSOCIATION HOSTEL 
REPRESENTING FOUR RELIGIONS 


in Calcutta it is also doing in Madras, Bombay, 
Rangoon, Colombo, Bangalore, Allahabad, La- 
hore and Simla, and could do in at least ten other 
great cities at once but for the lack of the men and 
the money to support them, and where the mis- 
sionaries have repeatedly called for secretaries. 


With such a field, fruitful, ripe, 
The Call overpowering in its needs; with the 
of God knowledge that the North American 

Associations possess the resources in 
method, money, men and access to prayer for 
meeting that need, surely he is dull to hear, whose 
ears do not discern the voice of God, and slow of 
heart, whose faith does not quickly claim the inhenit- 
ance for his Lord. 


FOREIGN WORK LITERATURE 


Shall We Spend Half a Million? 
By ARTHUR RUGH 


A sixteen-page pamphlet of concise answers 
to the questions Why, When, Where, How 
the Foreign Work is done. Of great value to 
foreign work committeemen for informing 
givers. Prepaid per hundred $2.00; fifty $1.00; 
dozen 25 cents. Sample free on application. 


The Men of India and Ceylon 
By te) Gy CARTER 


In a recent revision are marshaled fresh 
facts concerning the history, development, 
present status and opportunity of the Young 
Men’s Christian Association in India and 
Ceylon. Prepaid per hundred $3.00; dozen 
50 cents; 5 cents each. 


The Second City of the British Empire 


Prepaid per hundred $3.00; dozen 50 cents; 
5 cents each. 


Foreign Mail Annual 


An annual review of the Foreign Work. 
Prepaid per hundred $10.00; dozen $2.00; 25 
cents each. 


Foreign Mail 


A bi-monthly periodical of 32 pages, illus- 
trated. Annual subscription 25 cents; in clubs 
of ten or more 15 cents each. 


Foreign Department, The International 
Committee, 124 E. 28th St., New York City 


